0:00:04 > 0:00:07It's been well over ten years now since "Flog It!" first set up shop.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10During that time, you've come to trust us to value and sell
0:00:10 > 0:00:13your unwanted antiques and collectables.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15£1,100. Put it there.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Thank you. Thank you.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Absolutely wonderful.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24During that time, the variety of things you've brought in to show us has been absolutely astonishing.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27It's not easy to put a price on them all.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29But some things WE know are guaranteed to sell
0:00:29 > 0:00:31and this is where YOU can find out more.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Welcome to Trade Secrets.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Europe has always been fascinated by the East.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04We've been trading with North Africa, Turkey
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and the Middle East for centuries,
0:01:06 > 0:01:08but the furthest reaches of the Orient have been closed
0:01:08 > 0:01:13to all but a few intrepid travellers until relatively recently.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16But items from those lands regularly turn up at our valuation days.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19So, today, we're exploring all things Eastern.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Coming up, we explore the wonders of the Orient,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28taking in the Middle East...
0:01:28 > 0:01:30India...
0:01:30 > 0:01:31Japan...
0:01:31 > 0:01:32and China.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Thomas and I are bowled over by the finest Indian craftsmanship.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39The work in this is amazing.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43One of the best items I've seen on "Flog It!" for many, many years.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46We try to solve an Eastern mystery...
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Would it surprise you to know that this is not a Welsh item?
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- No. No, not really. - Where on earth did you get it from?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56..and we reveal the secrets of the Asian markets.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58At 3,600.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Yes!
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Well done.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- Well done, you.- Fantastic.- Gosh.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13As an imperial power, Britain once ruled the waves with military might.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17But it was trade that was the driving force behind our expansion
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and import and export were the mainstays of our economy
0:02:20 > 0:02:22and many of the items that turn up
0:02:22 > 0:02:25at our valuation days are part of that legacy.
0:02:30 > 0:02:37We see a huge amount of Oriental items in Great Britain.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Probably much more than Middle Eastern items,
0:02:41 > 0:02:46but that's quite simply because China was a huge place
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and made a huge variety of items.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53The market for Chinese porcelain works of art is
0:02:53 > 0:02:55booming at the moment
0:02:55 > 0:03:00and every time any auctioneer conducts a sale of Oriental objects,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04there are all sorts of shocks and surprises.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07There's a perception at the moment that everything's Chinese, Chinese,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Chinese, Chinese and certainly the Chinese market
0:03:09 > 0:03:10is really, really strong.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13But you know, the Islamic world equally, in my view,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16they're desperate to acquire goods as well.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18The Middle East, the Persians specifically,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20there's less knowledge around it,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22so with a little bit of dedicated research,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25you can really get one step ahead of the market.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29The Middle East has its own appeal and collectability
0:03:29 > 0:03:31and definitely shouldn't be overlooked.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35We don't see many items from these parts at our valuation days,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38but when we do, they are intriguing and unique,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40as James Lewis discovered.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Tell me the history. Where did you find it?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- In a junk shop in Chingford. - Did you really?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I bought this 60-odd years ago when I was a schoolboy.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Well, this is Arabic,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54known as a janbiya,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57which, basically, is Arabic for a knife.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00This is from Yemen and the janbiya
0:04:00 > 0:04:03was used as a fighting knife.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08But today, they are used more ceremonially.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10This is a hardwood handle
0:04:10 > 0:04:14and then we have overlay in silver.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And the silver overlays the hardwood handle
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and also this leather scabbard.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21It's 19th century.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23It's covered in silver.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It's ceremonial.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28But it's still something that has quite a good second-hand value.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32The value of them depends really on their hilt.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36They can be made from lapis lazuli, they can be made from wood,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39they can be set with precious or semiprecious stones
0:04:39 > 0:04:45and the case can be covered in gold filigree wire rather than silver.
0:04:45 > 0:04:52So, the variety of coverings and styles and qualities is endless.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I think in auction an estimate of £100-£150
0:04:55 > 0:04:56and I think it'll do jolly well.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01And it was Flog It's own Will Axon who took to the rostrum
0:05:01 > 0:05:04to sell this traditional piece of Middle Eastern culture.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06There we are. Where do you start me on that?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Again, interest in this. I've got to start here. Where?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- At 80. 90. 100.- Wow.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14'There's a big market for Arab items'
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and most Arab clients and buyers have got fairly deep pockets.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21160. 180 I'm bid. And 200 I have with me.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- At £200.- That was a quick jump, wasn't it, to £200?
0:05:24 > 0:05:29At £200 now. Shakes the head at £200. On commission, then. At £200.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33All done, then. All the bidding's here with me. All done at £200.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Hammer's up and selling at 200.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37Well done. That was good.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43That great result proves there's a big market for Arabic artefacts.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46But what other objects are worth looking out for?
0:05:46 > 0:05:51A good way to get into Middle Eastern antiques would be,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I would suggest, eastern metalwares.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Copper, brass, that sort of thing.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59There are vases, ewers, plates, chargers,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02some of the more elaborate with silver inlay, gold inlay.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04They're produced in huge numbers
0:06:04 > 0:06:08and I think as an entry-level, that's a fairly good pointer
0:06:08 > 0:06:11and work your way up from there, really.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13But you have to understand what you're buying.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18There are so many fakes out there, so many modern tourist things.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Just be careful.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27But Nick Hall threw caution to the wind and went ahead with a valuation
0:06:27 > 0:06:31of these rarely-seen shields from Persia, modern-day Iran.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36How on earth did these come to be in your possession?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- They were left to me by a neighbour back in 1980.- Right.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Was she a collector of sorts or a traveller?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44No, her husband was a merchant.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- He was in the Merchant Navy.- Right. - He used to travel a lot
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- and brought things back. - That explains it.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52They've come a long way, all the way from what used to be called Persia.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54'At the time of the valuation day,'
0:06:54 > 0:06:56we didn't see a lot of Persian items.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58We're starting to see a little bit more now
0:06:58 > 0:07:00with the growth of the Asian market as a whole.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01But Persian items,
0:07:01 > 0:07:02a little bit scarce and rarer,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06so it was a great pleasure to see those walk in. Wonderful things.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Date-wise, these are probably late 19th century.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Nice decoration on them as well. They're not a pair.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- They're very similar.- Right.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Same region, same date, same type of decoration.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21This chasing on the metalwork we can see here,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24these little bits of enamelling on the top there,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28some wonderful designs. Almost too nice to be hacked to bits
0:07:28 > 0:07:31with a big sword. Lovely things and quite rare to see.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34We don't see a lot of Middle Eastern artefacts.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36'It's always difficult to value things that you don't'
0:07:36 > 0:07:40see that often. You've got to have a bit of market knowledge, of course.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43You've got to constantly read up on the subject, study the subject,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45you've got to go through trade journals
0:07:45 > 0:07:47and follow other international sales,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49so that you are ready and prepared that when you do see them,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51you've got all that knowledge ready.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Not easy. It's hard work and dedication,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55but worth it when something like that walks in.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58So, we need to put a sensible price on them.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I think each shield is worth in the region of
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- 150-250, there or thereabouts... - OK. That's good.- ..per shield.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08As they weren't a matching pair,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Nick decided they should be sold separately.- Come on.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14100 then to start. 100 I'm bid. Got you. 100.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17110. 120. 130. 140.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- 150. 160.- This is good.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21170. 180. 180 on my right.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Selling at 180. Are we all done at 180?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Got you at £180 now. Selling at 180.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Hammer's going down.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Let's see if we can get 180 for the next one.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33120. 130. 140.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36150. 160. 170.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38180. 180 on my right.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Selling at 180.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Not bad at all.- Very pleased with that.- Not bad at all.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- Very pleased.- That's a result, isn't it?
0:08:45 > 0:08:47They would have sold better if they'd been a true pair,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49rather than two very similar objects.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Pairs always make more. Not just twice the price of a single one,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55but often three or four times.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57So, yes, if they'd been a true pair,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59they would have made considerably more.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I suspect there would have been even more collectors on them
0:09:02 > 0:09:04because you just don't see them.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13What you are more likely to see in Britain are these - rugs.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17The Persian tradition of carpet-making
0:09:17 > 0:09:18goes back thousands of years.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Britain began importing them in the 1880s
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and some experts say today there are possibly more of them
0:09:24 > 0:09:27in Europe than there are in Iran itself.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31If you want to collect them, here are a few tips.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36I think the best thing to look for in Persian rugs are old rugs
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and it's quite easy, luckily, to distinguish
0:09:38 > 0:09:41an old rug from a new rug based on the fact that
0:09:41 > 0:09:44most old rugs are dyed using natural dyes
0:09:44 > 0:09:46which fade over time.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48So when you see variations in colour in a rug,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50you know that it's old.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55The first rug is a rug probably made for the European market.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58The flowers are very European.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Look at the variations in the reds, for example.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04That's the indication of a natural dye. The rug is not very fine.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08It's more exuberant than it is a fine work of art,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10so it's not going to be of great value.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13The second rug, the design is much finer
0:10:13 > 0:10:15and there's a lot of attention to the colour
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and all the little details.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18But with fine rugs,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21you tend to cut the pile, which is the furry bit, closer
0:10:21 > 0:10:24so that you can see the design better
0:10:24 > 0:10:27and as a result, they tend to survive less well over time.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30I think it's better to spend one's money on a rug in good condition
0:10:30 > 0:10:32than a beautiful fine rug
0:10:32 > 0:10:35which was much nicer 100 years ago than it is today.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41You can buy a good-quality antique rug for around £150,
0:10:41 > 0:10:46but the record for a Persian one at auction is for over £20 million.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Carpets not your thing?
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Well, then Persian miniatures are also highly collectable
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and once again there's a lot to learn.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58This is a Persian one
0:10:58 > 0:11:02and if you look at the faces, they're usually not in profile.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06They're more rounded faces with more Asian eyes.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10And this one, there's a little Persian inscription on the side.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14It says "Khosrow and Shirin". They're two lovers.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16They're kind of the Persian version of Romeo and Juliet.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21But with values ranging from tens of pounds to millions,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24you need to be careful not to get caught out.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30This is a Mogul miniature from India and these are more common.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33The Mogul faces which are almost always in profile
0:11:33 > 0:11:35and usually the background is quite plain
0:11:35 > 0:11:38and the whole emphasis is on the figure that you're depicting.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40It's easy to confuse Persian with Indian
0:11:40 > 0:11:44as the Persian influence was strong in India 300 years ago.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46It's quite easy to tell if something's a fake
0:11:46 > 0:11:49if there's a lot of writing in the miniature.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53One of the most common things with miniatures that you buy today
0:11:53 > 0:11:57is that they're actually an old piece of paper with a new painting.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00What they do is they get some old notebook
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and just paint an elaborate scene in the centre of the page.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Those are the things to watch out for.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Also, these are very delicate objects
0:12:08 > 0:12:12and they will show some signs of wear if they're original.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13Bear that in mind.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21The next country on our eastern voyage is India -
0:12:21 > 0:12:25jewel in the crown of the British Empire for over 300 years...
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Wow.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31..and a country that adopted some of our most treasured traditions.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- Sophia, what a wonderful tea set. - Thank you.- Where did you find this?
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- Well, my grandfather has given it to my mother..- Yes?
0:12:39 > 0:12:44- ..as a wedding gift.- As a wedding gift?- Yes.- When was that?- 1956.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- Right.- Handed down from family.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- I was going to say, this is not 1950s.- No.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- Do you know how old it is? - I think it's '20s or '30s.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Very much. We've got pure Art Deco lines.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- The Indians were very influenced by the Art Deco period.- Right. OK.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03'A huge amount of very, very poor'
0:13:03 > 0:13:06quality items have come out of India,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09as indeed the Far East. So, if you're thinking
0:13:09 > 0:13:12of starting, go for quality.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14There are two things, really, that set it aside
0:13:14 > 0:13:16and make it absolutely obvious
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- that it's not an English tea set.- Right.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23One is this very intricate Indian chase decoration in the panels
0:13:23 > 0:13:28and also this extraordinary, very Indian-looking spout.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31You just wouldn't have a spout like that finishing off
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- an English teapot.- Oh, I see. - Of course, if it had a hallmark,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36we would be able to tell you exactly where it was made
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and we would be able to tell you the date and who made it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41None of that information is available here.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46Other than, of course, the bottom where it says "made in Kashmir".
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- It is a Kashmiri design.- It is a Kashmiri design, is it?- Yes.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53The hallmark tells us a great deal about a piece,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57but a lot of Indian silver isn't hallmarked
0:13:57 > 0:13:59making it difficult to know exactly what you've got,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02but there are a few exceptions to the rule.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06A lot of really good English silversmiths went to India
0:14:06 > 0:14:10and a nice piece of Indian silver made by an English silversmith,
0:14:10 > 0:14:15you will find marks on it that would enable you to date it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Now, I suppose of all the pieces of silver that are least saleable
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- it's tea services, simply because people don't use them any more.- Yes.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25So, you're really looking at a value of...
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- a few hundred pounds, £200 or £300.- OK.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32Charlie's valuation of the Indian tea set was on the cautious side
0:14:32 > 0:14:34and reflected its scrap value.
0:14:35 > 0:14:42All hallmarked silver in the UK has a minimum 92.5% silver content.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44But without a hallmark to prove its purity,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47this tea set may contain a lot less.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50You just can't tell without having it tested.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It's worth probably £500 in weight of silver
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- if it was English sterling silver.- Yes.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59You've cottoned onto this, haven't you? You rang James up.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I had a quick chat with the auctioneer
0:15:01 > 0:15:05just before the sale started. Sophia has now upped the valuation.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09We've got a fixed reserve of £450.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13So, it just... It just might struggle, but you don't know
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- because you can't tell the quality, can you, of Indian silver?- No.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18You don't know if it's equal amount or slightly less.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22But in the end, it's all down to the bidders.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I have two commissions on the book and I start the bidding
0:15:25 > 0:15:27with me at £450.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Yes! Worry over.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32460. 470.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34480. 490.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36500. 520. 540.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- What do I know?- 560. 580.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41600. At £600.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44With me on the book at £600.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Are you all done?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The hammer's gone down. £600.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Well done.- Thank you. Thank you. I'm really pleased.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55The tea set's fine quality and exquisite Kashmir design
0:15:55 > 0:15:59definitely set it apart in the saleroom.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02But my advice is unless you've absolutely fallen in love
0:16:02 > 0:16:05with a piece of silver, be cautious.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06If you're unsure of the silver content
0:16:06 > 0:16:09don't pay more than you have to.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11If it's not by a particularly well-known maker, yes,
0:16:11 > 0:16:13it comes down to the scrap value
0:16:13 > 0:16:17and you can follow the scrap value very, very easily online
0:16:17 > 0:16:20and it goes up and down like a yo-yo.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24As I sit here, it is at £11 an ounce.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27A few weeks ago, it was £16 an ounce.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Two, three years ago, it was £4 an ounce.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Quite extraordinary fluctuations.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43When Indian craftsmen are working at their best,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47the quality and the use of materials are beyond compare.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50One example is among the finest things
0:16:50 > 0:16:52I've ever seen on "Flog It!" -
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Thomas was impressed too.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59This piece of Anglo-Indian art
0:16:59 > 0:17:04would be the kind of thing you would find in a house like behind me.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- Wonderful.- It's that sort of quality.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Do you like it?- Fantastic. I do, yes. I do.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15'The Anglo-Indian chessboard and chess pieces'
0:17:15 > 0:17:20I called Anglo-Indian because of the work and the style of the piece.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Anglo-Indian furniture or colonial furniture
0:17:23 > 0:17:27has its influence in us Britons going to India
0:17:27 > 0:17:32and asking craftsmen to create pieces of furniture,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35decorative items, in our taste.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Where did it come from?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40It came from my late husband's family
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and he inherited it from his grandparents.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49It's got the use here of bone, ivory and tortoiseshell.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55The ivory in this was used and this was made well before 1947.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00Anything later than 1947, we cannot sell, we cannot touch,
0:18:00 > 0:18:01it's illegal to handle.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05But ivory made pre-then is OK.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09To top it all off, not only have you got the chessboard,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13you've got the pieces as well. White and red stained.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Again, these are ivory. It's amazing that it's all complete.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19There's one or two nicks out of the rooks.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21We've got a bit of fret missing.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Yes, this work needs to be restored and they can be restored.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25But it's not the end of the world.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28'When looking at antiques,'
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I have a sort of thing in my head,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34"Keep on going. Don't compromise on quality.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35"Don't compromise on quality."
0:18:35 > 0:18:39And when you see something of quality, you're thinking,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42"Is this really good? Is this something I've not seen before?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46"Should I compromise on it? Do I pick holes in it?"
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- The work in this is amazing, isn't it?- It is. It's beautiful.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52You've got this tortoiseshell base
0:18:52 > 0:18:54and then this beautiful fretwork
0:18:54 > 0:18:59with this amazing engraved and painted design
0:18:59 > 0:19:01around the octagonal
0:19:01 > 0:19:06on this beautiful turned-horn stem
0:19:06 > 0:19:08with ivory roundels
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and again on a similar tortoiseshell
0:19:11 > 0:19:15and fretwork carved base on these poor feet.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- These feet are bone.- Are they bone, not ivory?- They're not ivory.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- They're bone. Because you see little black flecks in there?- Yes.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Those are little blood vessels.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26'When looking at this Anglo-Indian chessboard,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30'you can see the quality and the design. Also...'
0:19:30 > 0:19:34it did have that naive charm of being Anglo-Indian.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39But that gave it a certain je ne sais quoi
0:19:39 > 0:19:41which was delightful.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45You've got people who collect Anglo-Indian works of art
0:19:45 > 0:19:48and you've got people who collect chess pieces.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50But also you've got the emerging economies.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53The emerging economy of India are collecting back
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- some of the items.- Really, are they? - Of course.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Therefore, that will command a good valuation.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03I think an estimate should be £500-£700.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- I think that's pretty good.- Yes?- Yes!
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Personally, I thought the estimate was a bit conservative.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I'd like to thank you for bringing possibly one of the best items
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I've seen on Flog It! for many, many years.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19That little Anglo-Indian chess set,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22which Thomas had the pleasure of valuing.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Lots of interest. It's quality - quality always tells.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28The damage won't put anybody off.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29This is going to be exciting
0:20:29 > 0:20:32because it's going under the hammer right now.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Fingers crossed. Hope it flies, I really do.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Shall we say 450? 550?
0:20:40 > 0:20:44650. 750.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47850. 900 we're bid.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50950 I'm bid for it.
0:20:50 > 0:20:521,000. I have 1,000. And 50.
0:20:52 > 0:20:551,100. I've got 1,100. Thank you.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56At £1,100 then.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02I sell for £1,100...
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Thank you.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- That's good, isn't it? - Very good.- Very good.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12That Anglo-Indian chessboard and chess pieces was complete.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17I don't think you'd find another one complete.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20That's the reason why it made £1,100.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Now, we don't get that many Indian pieces in our Flog It!
0:21:26 > 0:21:30valuation days, but if Barbara's spectacular chess set
0:21:30 > 0:21:33was anything to go by, they are definitely worth looking out for.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Fine quality in craftsmanship will always draw in the bidders.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40So if you're interested in collecting such artefacts,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43keep this check list in mind.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46The Arabic market is growing. Don't overlook it.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Indian silver is unlikely to be hallmarked, so always be aware
0:21:51 > 0:21:56that its silver content may be less than that of sterling silver.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00If you can, get it tested and then you'll know its true scrap value.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04But quality will always out,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08be it beautifully decorated silver or the finest carved ivory.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Ivory was once widely used in European art works.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16It's now illegal to buy or sell pieces created after 1947.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Older items tend to be more yellow, but seek advice,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22and if in doubt, stay clear.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Still to come, our travels take us even further east,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31into the heart of the Orient.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35And Mark gets these sisters all aflutter in the saleroom.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- Isn't that good news?- Yes, lovely. - Big smiles all round.- Absolutely.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- Wasn't that worth the wait? - Yes, it was.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45We find out how to avoid buying fake Chinese ceramics.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48I have to be honest, I looked at it and I thought, "That's a fake."
0:22:48 > 0:22:53All the scratches and all the marks are telltale signs of wear.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55But it is a minefield.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58And Michael explores the wonders of Japanese antiques.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01It's a true passion project.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02I love inros.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14On Flog It! we're used to seeing Japanese ivory and ceramics, but you
0:23:14 > 0:23:19may be surprised by this Japanese export of a very different kind.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24It's Taiko drumming, which I tried my hand at in 2011.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29The drums used for Taiko are traditional instruments
0:23:29 > 0:23:32in Japan, and they've been heard for centuries.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35It's believed they were first used by the military.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Modern Taiko drumming like this
0:23:40 > 0:23:45was developed in the 1950s by Japanese musician Daihachi Oguchi.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Many of you may know that at one stage of my life
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I was a professional drummer many moons ago,
0:23:54 > 0:23:58so I'm absolutely delighted to come here today to the Barnfield Theatre
0:23:58 > 0:24:01in Exeter, to pick up the sticks once again,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04albeit with a difference.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06I'm here to meet Jonathan Kirby,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10one of the first people to bring Taiko drumming to the UK.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14I know a little bit about drumming, but nothing about Taiko.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15So explain a little bit further.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19We talk about four principles when we play Taiko - attitude -
0:24:19 > 0:24:20the way you approach it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Your kata, which is a martial arts term.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25That means your stance, the way you stand,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27the way you project in performance art.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Technique - about doing simple things well.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33And then we move on to ki, which is the energy.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37That's what makes it so exciting. That's what you need to...
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Get the breathing right, get focused.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42So how do you go about converting a kit drummer?
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Aha! We introduce you to one of our group members.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48My son Oliver is a member of the main performing group.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Thanks for helping us out, Oliver. Where do we start?
0:24:51 > 0:24:55We can show you the ropes, introduce you to some of our fundamentals.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- And have a little go. - Come on, then.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59I'm quite excited about this.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02First of all, take your left leg and plant it behind the left
0:25:02 > 0:25:04corner of the drum, the right leg going behind.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06This is to get your body weight down.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Yes, and you've got a nice foundation to work off.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10The arms go out in front.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- There's space under the armpits. - And open your diaphragm.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- Open your body out. - So you can breathe.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And even a group of people doing this is a performance in itself.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- It's quite ceremonial, isn't it? - Absolutely.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23It's a very powerful feeling just standing here
0:25:23 > 0:25:26knowing that you're going to hit this in a moment.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- It's going to be really loud! - Exactly.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32And that feeling of tension goes to the audience as well.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35OK, so the first beat we're going to play is called the dongo.
0:25:35 > 0:25:41It's a swung-based rhythm and it sounds... Dong-dong-dong...
0:25:41 > 0:25:43There you go! Exactly!
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I wonder if you're up to the challenge of playing a little piece with me and Jonathan.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49OK, get Dad on. Here he is.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- The master! - JONATHAN LAUGHS
0:25:52 > 0:25:53What are we doing?
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- Is this a traditional song or one of your songs?- It's one of mine.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00We'll play a piece called Congruenza, an extract from it.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It'll feature Oliver playing a couple of melodies, as we call them,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05on that side.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I'll play a couple this side and we'll have a little bit at the end
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and you'll play the same as Oliver or me throughout.
0:26:10 > 0:26:11OK. Here we go.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Absolutely fabulous. - HE LAUGHS
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Japan came late to the worldwide antiques trade.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09In fact, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that it
0:27:09 > 0:27:13opened its ports to foreigners, and what treasures poured out!
0:27:14 > 0:27:17You've brought in this really exquisite item. What a lovely find.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Karen, you've really made my day today,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23bringing this little collection along.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Because of the interest in the Chinese market,
0:27:26 > 0:27:30it's pulling the Japanese items up as well.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32- Got to be happy with that. - I'm very happy with that.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35With the wealth that the Chinese are creating,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38they are buying up Japanese works because they look so similar.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39And a lot of
0:27:39 > 0:27:42the symbolism you see in the Japanese
0:27:42 > 0:27:44means something to the Chinese, anyway.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47£1,100! Put it there!
0:27:47 > 0:27:51There's a great dissemination between Japanese and Chinese taste.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54The Japanese will copy the Chinese, the Chinese will copy the Japanese.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57So you just have to look at the individual items
0:27:57 > 0:27:59and sometimes get it right and sometimes get it wrong.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03And getting it wrong could prove expensive.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Just take a close look at these two cheeky chaps.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Two sumo wrestlers in a mid-match clinch.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14For many years these were used as a doorstop here at Burghley.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Now, considering these have been battered over the years,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21the condition is remarkable.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23I don't know how they survived, I really don't,
0:28:23 > 0:28:25but thank goodness they have,
0:28:25 > 0:28:26because they turned out to be
0:28:26 > 0:28:3117th-century Arita Japanese porcelain worth a small fortune!
0:28:33 > 0:28:36The lesson here is make sure you know what you've got.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Today there's a wealth of Japanese treasures to choose from,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49like the one Mark discovered in Cardiff in 2012,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52brought along by sisters Olwen and Lynne.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Where on earth did you get it?
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Well, my husband inherited it in the year 2000.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02And it was from an uncle of his, and his wife,
0:29:02 > 0:29:08- when she was alive, was in the antique business.- Was she?- Yes.
0:29:08 > 0:29:15This was made during the Meiji period, so between 1868 and 1912.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16It was so humorous,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20the little crushed figure underneath the barrel,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22and these little Japanese characters.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27It just screams the Meiji period in Japan. And beautiful quality.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31To me, it looks like this tradesman is being attacked by these
0:29:31 > 0:29:36- little gargoyles.- Yes.- I think he's throwing salt or something at them.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Down here, we've got somebody rubbing their eyes,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41so maybe some salt has gone into their eyes.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45- This one is protecting himself with a bowl of eels for something.- Yes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48And they are all carved ivory.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Japanese carvers, of course, use many materials - wood,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54bamboo, silver.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Ivory, I think, lent itself to carving these types of figures
0:29:58 > 0:30:02because it was in plentiful supply, and they have that lovely
0:30:02 > 0:30:07creamy, soapy feel that age has added to the ivory.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10It's wonderful, isn't it? Where does that live at home?
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- Have you had it on display? - No, I haven't.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's been wrapped in tissue paper
0:30:15 > 0:30:18and then bubble-wrapped in a box in the bottom of the wardrobe.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22- Well, that's not very nice, is it? - No, it's not.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25But I'm not fond of it at all, to be honest with you.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28The thing with something like this, the auction house will love it
0:30:28 > 0:30:31because it's fresh to the market, it's quality
0:30:31 > 0:30:35and there's a big collector market for it, I'm sure.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40So if we put it in 500 to 700 with a 500 fixed reserve, I think
0:30:40 > 0:30:43they'll come out of the woodwork, if you excuse the pun.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45If you're a collector or a dealer,
0:30:45 > 0:30:50what you're looking for are pieces that haven't been seen for a while.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53This has obviously been in private hands for many years,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55so when it came to the market,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58it really excited the collectors and the dealers.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Lot 608 is the Japanese carved ivory and hardwood figure group.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Lot 608.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08500, I have, and 20. I'll take 500.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11At 20. 550. 580. 600.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13620, 650, 680, 700.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16720, 750, 780, 800.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Great. Great.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- 850, 900. - He's very good, isn't he?
0:31:21 > 0:31:25'It flew past the top estimate and just kept going.'
0:31:25 > 0:31:261,200. And 50.
0:31:26 > 0:31:281,300. And 50.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30- 1400. - Is it exciting enough?- It is!
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Very much so.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34With me at £1,500.
0:31:34 > 0:31:361,550 on the net.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Are we all out on the telephones and in the room?
0:31:39 > 0:31:42At £1,550.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43Thank you.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- Hammer's down.- Wonderful.- Isn't that good news? Big smiles all round.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48There was a lot going on there.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51You had... 3, 4, 5, 6 figures or so.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54And the whole humorous nature of it.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58And to collectors and dealers that just would've floated their boat.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00In fact, it did float their boat.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04There is a huge collector market for Japanese items.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08But you do have to go for quality.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09190, 200.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12So, how do you spot a quality piece of Japanese carving?
0:32:12 > 0:32:14Well, I know just the man to ask.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Auctioneer Nick Hall is a regular on Flog It! and his auction room
0:32:18 > 0:32:22has been the scene of some high drama over the years.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26He's a man who knows quality when he sees it.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29So who better to let you in on some trade secrets?
0:32:29 > 0:32:32One of the questions I'm asked an awful lot
0:32:32 > 0:32:34is what makes an object valuable?
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Is it the rarity, the material it's made from, the quality,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39or the author of the object?
0:32:39 > 0:32:43Well, in this instance, and here we're talking about
0:32:43 > 0:32:47Oriental works of art, it is the quality, the craftsmanship.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Now, on the face of it, they're very similar objects.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53They are both Japanese, both date from the late Meiji period,
0:32:53 > 0:32:551900 to 1910.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57They're both carved from ivory,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00and they're both what we call okimono -
0:33:00 > 0:33:03which are freestanding decorative ornaments that serve no purpose.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06So, on the face of it, they should have very similar values.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09But you need to look closely.
0:33:09 > 0:33:10Come in close and see what I mean.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13If you take this little group at the front here,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16you've got this nice little seated group of fishermen.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18A nice little tableau group.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Behind it you've got a single figure of a fruit picker.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23But look at the detail.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25The little group of fishermen at the front,
0:33:25 > 0:33:29when you get very close, the carving is actually quite bland.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33If you look at the features on the hands and the face, the feet,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35there's not a lot of detail there.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39But you get closer, closer still,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41and you look at the fruit picker behind
0:33:41 > 0:33:45you can see the veins in the leaf hanging at the front here.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48You can even see the feathers on the quail,
0:33:48 > 0:33:50perched on the top there.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53And the features on the elderly chap's face -
0:33:53 > 0:33:55the lines from all that toil and labour.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58It's little touches and detail like that that
0:33:58 > 0:34:01that collectors of Japanese carvings go wild for.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03And that's what pushes the price up.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05So, what are they worth?
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Nice little group at the front, 100 years old, plainly carved -
0:34:09 > 0:34:11you could buy that for probably £100.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Whereas the fruit picker with all that fine quality detailing,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18that is going to be nearer £1,000.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21So look closely and then you will know exactly
0:34:21 > 0:34:24the value of the object you are dealing with.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Worth remembering.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30The Japanese are world renowned for their superior carving.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Another area in which they excel is lacquer work -
0:34:33 > 0:34:37an intricate and elaborate technique.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Claire Rawle found a typical example in Hertfordshire.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42You've brought such a pretty item.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46Japanese lacquer. But tell me a bit about it. How did you come by it?
0:34:46 > 0:34:49It was tucked away in one of the boxes at home.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53We got a whole collection of items from my dad
0:34:53 > 0:34:58who was an avid collector of antiques, Japanese items, especially.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02So we've got, in essence, a lacquered box.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04In actual fact, it's a card case, isn't it?
0:35:04 > 0:35:06To put visiting cards in.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10And it was made in the latter part of 19th century for export,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12to be sold in this country,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14to be used as a European item.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Very interesting.- They made the most beautiful lacquer work.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18'It's a varnish.'
0:35:18 > 0:35:24The Chinese discovered it and used it to protect items, initially.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26So it's a varnish built up in layers
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and then they're very often carved back through the layers
0:35:29 > 0:35:30to decorate it.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Or just build up the decoration and then guild it finely.
0:35:33 > 0:35:34It's very intricate art.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36And you've got this wonderful eagle.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38A very typical Japanese emblem.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Then, on the back, we have -
0:35:40 > 0:35:44which is always a giveaway if it's Japanese - Mount Fuji!
0:35:44 > 0:35:48The most traditional emblem you'll see on Japanese works of art
0:35:48 > 0:35:50is Mount Fuji.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53The summit was always believed to be - and still is - sacred.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56And, in fact, ladies were not allowed up on the summit
0:35:56 > 0:35:59until the Meiji period, which is the late 19th century.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02And then again, pagodas - very, very typical.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06It's lovely. You've got a bit of general wear, which you'd expect.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07The eagle's a bit rubbed.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It's been used, you hold it in your hand, that's fine.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12It's actually in very nice condition.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14There are some items that you will accept damage on.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18The trouble sometimes with a lacquered items, for instance,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21it's very difficult to repair because it's difficult to restore it
0:36:21 > 0:36:24without making it look brand-new again.
0:36:24 > 0:36:30- I think an estimate of 150 to 200. - Oh, lovely.- It's such a pretty item
0:36:30 > 0:36:32that somebody out there is going to love it.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36What about that Meiji period box?
0:36:36 > 0:36:37There it is.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39With the gold decoration.
0:36:39 > 0:36:45£150 for a fine little box. Yes or no? 80, OK. Are you 90 for the box?
0:36:45 > 0:36:46100 for the box?
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Oh, come on, a bit more.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50120 and 30 and 40 and 50.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53- He wants it.- £150 for the box, then.
0:36:53 > 0:36:54150 I have it.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58At £150 I'm going to sell. Thank you.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Great result.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02It wasn't a bad price for what it was.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04But I think maybe if it had been Chinese,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07it would have been quite a different price, yeah.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Michael Baggott has a particular passion for
0:37:14 > 0:37:15precious metals and gems.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19And you can quite often see him at our valuation days with a loop,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21a small magnifying glass to his eye.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24He's also fascinated by the Orient
0:37:24 > 0:37:28and everything from the Far East, so when he was invited to view
0:37:28 > 0:37:31a new collection of Japanese antiques he jumped at the chance.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43When I left Birmingham to go to college and study antiques,
0:37:43 > 0:37:48I suddenly found a love or an excitement of all things Chinese
0:37:48 > 0:37:51and Japanese, and from that point on I've been hooked.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55Out of the whole scope of Japanese art and design, the ceramics,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59the prints, I think my favourite has to be the little inro
0:37:59 > 0:38:02which is so collectable in so many different designs.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06And hopefully here at the Oriental Museum in Durham we can see some.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15So, Rachel, thank you for liberating these from the cases momentarily.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17It's a wonderful display.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Obviously, you're very familiar with Chinese and Japanese art
0:38:20 > 0:38:25and the fact that they share quite a lot of techniques and iconography.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29What hints have you got for telling the difference between Chinese
0:38:29 > 0:38:31and Japanese objects?
0:38:31 > 0:38:34- That's the million dollar question. - It is.- It's not easy.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Really what it comes down to is just looking at as many things
0:38:38 > 0:38:40as you possibly can.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Japan has always been heavily influenced by China
0:38:43 > 0:38:47and by Chinese art, so a lot of Japanese art looks very similar,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49uses the same motifs, the same colours.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51But we've got a selection of ceramics here
0:38:51 > 0:38:54that are more uniquely Japanese in design.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55Can you tell us about them?
0:38:55 > 0:38:58This one in the front is the kind of piece that people
0:38:58 > 0:39:00most readily think of as being very Japanese.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03This lovely porcelain with these beautiful bright colours on it
0:39:03 > 0:39:06is the kind of thing that was made specifically in Japan
0:39:06 > 0:39:08for export to Europe,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11so it's the kind of thing collectors are most likely to see here.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14This piece here dates to the 18th century.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18And by great contrast, some people might have a five-year-old
0:39:18 > 0:39:20that's come back with something very similar to this,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24but this is not the case. Tells us about his bowl.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29This is an example of perhaps the most typically Japanese of wares.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32This tea bowl dates to about 1,600.
0:39:32 > 0:39:37And it's in a style that's specifically designed to look simple
0:39:37 > 0:39:40and rustic and very rough.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43But actually has taken a huge amount of skill,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45a huge amount of thought has gone into it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49This is really if we've got a chance of finding something out there
0:39:49 > 0:39:53that's undervalued, it's going to be this class of Japanese tea wares.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- Yes.- And this is a stark contrast to what we have in the West.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03We're buying the brightly coloured, fancy wares.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04But moving on from that,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07they were also masters of metalwork as well, weren't they?
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- Yes, they were. - Those aren't real, are they?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12They are wonderful fun.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18These kind of pieces were made by Japanese swordsmiths and armouries.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22During the Edo period, so from 1615 onwards,
0:40:22 > 0:40:24when you've got peace in Japan,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27swordsmiths and armouries are not so much in demand.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30So they are making these kind of pieces to show
0:40:30 > 0:40:34the quality of their workmanship, so these are fully articulated,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37the snake moves, the legs on the crab all move.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- It's an immediate effect, isn't it?- Yes.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42When they're not doing that, they are making swords
0:40:42 > 0:40:44and they're make sword fittings.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47They are. We've got a collection of them here. These are tsuba.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51This is the piece that fits at the base of your sword blade
0:40:51 > 0:40:54and protects your hand when you're holding the hilt.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56The more solid ones are the sort of thing you think of
0:40:56 > 0:40:58as earlier, more practical pieces.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01During the Edo period, your sword can become much more decorative,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04it's much more about showing off your status.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07And these sword fittings again become more decorative.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10And obviously when Japan opens up to the West,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13people were bringing back swords, but swords are rather bulky to carry,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17so something like a tsuba makes an ideal souvenir,
0:41:17 > 0:41:21and so these things came back to the West in large numbers.
0:41:21 > 0:41:27Now, we move on from those to my favourites...cos I love inros,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29and you've picked out four super ones.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32I have. The inro is the compartment.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37These were created first of all to carry medicines, herbs and seals
0:41:37 > 0:41:40and they hung from your belt of your kimono
0:41:40 > 0:41:43and the netsuke is the toggle that secures it in place
0:41:43 > 0:41:46and makes sure that you don't lose all your precious things
0:41:46 > 0:41:47hanging from your belt.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49And I've tried to get a range of materials.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51People tend to think of the lacquer ones,
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Japanese lacquer is, of course, wonderful,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56but I also wanted to get a couple of different ones out.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59So, I got this lovely wooden one with these very playful monkeys.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04So, really, in terms of what's attainable in collectables today,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06I think, certainly, if you look at the tsuba,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09they're easily accessible at the very bottom level.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12You can buy a really simple example for what?
0:42:12 > 0:42:17£50, £100, going up to, for the decorated ones, two, three,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20maybe even £10,000 for the very best examples.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I mean, my love of the inros,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25you can buy a very nice inro for £300 or £400.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28When you get into the very better ones,
0:42:28 > 0:42:30you're talking multiples of 10,000.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34But it just shows you that if you want to collect Japanese art,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37it's accessible at every level, isn't it?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44I've had a wonderful day at the Oriental Museum.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47I've seen lots of wonderful objects beautifully made.
0:42:47 > 0:42:52I think if this has inspired you to collect Japanese art,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55just beware of the huge diversity of objects you can find
0:42:55 > 0:42:58but if you're on a budget, don't go for the obvious.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02Maybe go and choose an obscure area of ceramics to collect.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04That would be my advice.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07I mean, after seeing that wonderful tea ceremony bowl,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11I'm going to go off now and look for some wonky pots. Who knows?
0:43:11 > 0:43:13One of them might be by a 16th-century master.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26And now for the last port of call on our eastern travels.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28When it comes to the oriental antiques and collectables,
0:43:28 > 0:43:30China is the emperor.
0:43:31 > 0:43:3620 years ago, Japanese pieces were far more valuable,
0:43:36 > 0:43:38far more saleable than Chinese.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Today, it has reversed so much.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46- Brilliant.- Very happy. - That is a good result, isn't it?
0:43:46 > 0:43:49I think mainly because the Chinese themselves are buying them back.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51There's great wealth out there and for a long time,
0:43:51 > 0:43:53they were denied their culture,
0:43:53 > 0:43:57they were denied owning items that showed history.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00- Sold.- £980.- That is wonderful.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03What a lovely surprise. I'm tingling.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05Chairman Mao put forward a law to say that
0:44:05 > 0:44:08if you were caught with items from the Imperial past,
0:44:08 > 0:44:12you were seen as being disloyal to the communist doctrine
0:44:12 > 0:44:14so people buried things in their back garden,
0:44:14 > 0:44:17they destroyed them, they were burnt, they were smashed
0:44:17 > 0:44:21and now, of course, China is the economic superpower.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24Hammer's up, we're selling at £3,300.
0:44:24 > 0:44:29- £3,300.- Absolutely fantastic.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37Much of China's surviving artistic heritage is here in Europe
0:44:37 > 0:44:40but it isn't all fine antiques.
0:44:40 > 0:44:44There are items that reflect the country's social history too.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49Angela, I have never, ever seen shoes like this before
0:44:49 > 0:44:52and I think they are absolutely incredible.
0:44:52 > 0:44:58These are Chinese women's shoes.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01- Not doll's shoes, women's shoes. - Yes.
0:45:01 > 0:45:06I must admit I don't think I've ever seen Chinese shoes before,
0:45:06 > 0:45:08coming into a "Flog It!" valuation day.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10They are a bit unusual,
0:45:10 > 0:45:11a bit of a curio,
0:45:11 > 0:45:15and something that I don't know if I'd like to handle again.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18Young girls when they were about four years of age,
0:45:18 > 0:45:23their mothers, they used to bind back their toes with cotton
0:45:23 > 0:45:27so that they had small feet because they were considered to be pretty.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29And those are minute.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33The standard size of foot was considered to be three inches.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35Where on earth did you get these from?
0:45:35 > 0:45:40Well, my in-laws had lived out east from the mid-'30s.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43They certainly date from the 20th century.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47I mean this idea of binding feet, binding children's feet,
0:45:47 > 0:45:51was actually outlawed in 1911 but it still went on a lot longer
0:45:51 > 0:45:52- than that.- Yeah.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55I think something like that, something like these shoes,
0:45:55 > 0:45:57are a bit of a curio
0:45:57 > 0:46:00and it's something that you either like or you don't like.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04These as objects, aside from that, whether it's right or wrong,
0:46:04 > 0:46:07these are absolutely beautiful.
0:46:07 > 0:46:12I think they are silk with this wonderful embroidery.
0:46:12 > 0:46:16It's really hard to value something that you've never seen before,
0:46:16 > 0:46:20something that you've never had any experience with.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24A lot of it comes down to whether we've seen similar items
0:46:24 > 0:46:28like that sell at auction, how much they have gone for before.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31I would suggest probably putting a reserve on of £50 cos
0:46:31 > 0:46:34I certainly don't think they should go for anything less than that.
0:46:34 > 0:46:39And probably an estimate on for about £80-£120.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42When you don't quite know whether it's going to make it into the
0:46:42 > 0:46:48100s or whether it's going to go for under £100 so you put £80-120 on it.
0:46:48 > 0:46:49That's my secret.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55A little tiny pair of shoes, something like I've never, ever
0:46:55 > 0:46:58seen before and that's the beauty of doing "Flog It!", isn't it?
0:46:58 > 0:47:01We come across all sorts of curios when we're out there on the road.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06Right. Lot 386. Can I see £80? £50? £30, our bid.
0:47:06 > 0:47:11At £30, I'll take five. 35. At 35, 40 now. At 35, 40? 40.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13This is interesting.
0:47:13 > 0:47:1650. At £50. At £50's on the phone.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19I'll take five now. Are we all done?
0:47:19 > 0:47:20£50.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23Yes, they've gone, only just, though.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25- It went right on the reserve.- Yes.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28- Happy?- Yes.- It's gone.- I'm happy. - OK.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31It's one of those things that you either like or you don't like
0:47:31 > 0:47:34so I just think the right people weren't there on the day.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42But one area that's ever-popular and breaking all records is
0:47:42 > 0:47:45something the Chinese have been producing for centuries
0:47:45 > 0:47:47and the clue's in the name - China.
0:47:47 > 0:47:48Annette and Caroline.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52When I was a boy, I had all my goldfish in the pond.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54Some people have them in little bowls.
0:47:54 > 0:47:58But if you're in 18th-century China, this is what you would have used.
0:47:58 > 0:47:59A fish bowl.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03- It's a fish bowl?- A fish bowl.- I had no idea that's what it was.- Really?
0:48:03 > 0:48:05I thought it was a bidet.
0:48:05 > 0:48:06THEY LAUGH
0:48:06 > 0:48:08Well, you can wash your bottom in it
0:48:08 > 0:48:12if you like but I really don't think the fish would approve.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15I have to be honest, when I first saw this,
0:48:15 > 0:48:17I looked at it and thought, "Don't want to look at that,
0:48:17 > 0:48:21"that's a fake." And I dismissed it completely.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25The more valuable a subject area becomes...
0:48:26 > 0:48:30..the more attention is spent on trying to fake those items.
0:48:30 > 0:48:35The world record for a piece of art other than a painting was
0:48:35 > 0:48:40a Chinese porcelain vase selling for £53 million.
0:48:41 > 0:48:42Sold.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45So, when you get something making that,
0:48:45 > 0:48:50imagine how many people there are trying to fake it and the
0:48:50 > 0:48:55biggest difficulty we have today is telling whether it's right or wrong.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57So, how could you tell that it was?
0:48:57 > 0:49:03The first clue was when you said, "I've had it for 40 years."
0:49:03 > 0:49:04I thought, "Hmmm.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06"They've only been making these fakes in the last 20 or 30,"
0:49:06 > 0:49:08so let's have another look.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11And then there are signs when you start to look - the scratching
0:49:11 > 0:49:17in the glaze, the chips around the edge here and I think it's right.
0:49:17 > 0:49:22All the scratches and all the marks are telltale signs of wear but it is
0:49:22 > 0:49:28a minefield and the fakers can make things we can only dream about.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31They will take something and put keys in the bottom of the bowl
0:49:31 > 0:49:34and put it on a thing that just shakes keys
0:49:34 > 0:49:36so it makes little scratch marks.
0:49:36 > 0:49:40They have these pushers and rubbers to actually wear the piece out.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44It lived outside and I took a pottery class and they gave me some
0:49:44 > 0:49:48pottery magazines to just inspire me and that's when I saw this bowl.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51I went, "Well, Lord, it's got the same pattern around it."
0:49:51 > 0:49:54- How extraordinary.- That's when I brought it inside the house.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58- So, pottery classes have saved it. - It saved it, yes.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02Estimate - let's put £800-£1,200.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04Reserve - £800.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07But you know, if it doesn't sell, you're not having it back.
0:50:07 > 0:50:08HE CHUCKLES
0:50:12 > 0:50:15But the biggest question was not whether it was a fake,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18but what was it actually used for?
0:50:18 > 0:50:19Vanessa and Caroline, good luck.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21I know we're just about to go under the hammer
0:50:21 > 0:50:23with that Chinese porcelain foot bowl -
0:50:23 > 0:50:26- because it IS a foot bowl.- I thought it might be a foot bowl...- It is.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29James has done a bit more research, but I had a chat to Will
0:50:29 > 0:50:32earlier yesterday, as well, and he said it was definitely a foot bowl.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37This I thought was a foot bath, because of the relatively low sides.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40Fish bowls tend to be a lot higher, sort of bowl-shaped.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42A lot of the time they were also decorated with fish,
0:50:42 > 0:50:45either on the inside or the outside.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48And also the telltale sign, in my view,
0:50:48 > 0:50:52was the plug, the drainage hole in the bowl itself.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55You know, not really wise to have a drainage hole in a fish tank,
0:50:55 > 0:50:58because that could lead to a nasty accident.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01Is it a foot bath? Is it a fish bowl? What is it?
0:51:01 > 0:51:03I don't know, it could be a washing bowl!
0:51:03 > 0:51:05It's one of those things
0:51:05 > 0:51:08that because it's so foreign to our culture,
0:51:08 > 0:51:11it's quite difficult to pin it down.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14But whatever it was, it was in demand.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16And I've got to start this at...
0:51:16 > 0:51:201,200, 1,400, 1,600, 1,800,
0:51:20 > 0:51:222,000, 2,200, 2,400, 2,600
0:51:22 > 0:51:252,800, 3,000, I'm bid on commission.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27- At £3,000.- What?!- 3,000.
0:51:27 > 0:51:32At 3,200, at 3,200 in the room. All three bidders are out at 3,200 bid.
0:51:32 > 0:51:343,200.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36At 3,200, I have you at 3,200.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38Do carry on!
0:51:38 > 0:51:42At 3,200, all done at 3,200...
0:51:42 > 0:51:453,400 on the telephone. At 3,400.
0:51:45 > 0:51:483,400. At 3,600.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52At 3,600 here. 3,600 now bid.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54At 3,600, the hammer's up.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57At £3,600 now.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59All done. You're out at the back?
0:51:59 > 0:52:01At £3,600 - quick if you do.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04£3,600.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07At 3,600...
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Yes! Well done.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11- I'm happy!- Well done, you!
0:52:11 > 0:52:13- Fantastic!- Gosh!
0:52:13 > 0:52:17We always knew it was going to make above what James had suggested
0:52:17 > 0:52:20as a printed estimate, but I think he probably had an inkling as well.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22I just felt a bit of an idiot!
0:52:22 > 0:52:27But that's nothing new! I know that feeling quite readily.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29But to be fair to James, at the time of the sale,
0:52:29 > 0:52:32it was a fast-moving market.
0:52:32 > 0:52:33It was a time when...
0:52:35 > 0:52:39..in January it would have made £1,000.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41In June it would have made £3,000.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44If we'd sold it six months later, it might have made £6,000.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46You know, who knows?
0:52:46 > 0:52:48The market has now stabilised.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52I think if you're thinking of Japanese or Chinese,
0:52:52 > 0:52:54it's quite a dangerous area.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56We're all caught out all the time,
0:52:56 > 0:52:58and I think if you're going to venture into that field,
0:52:58 > 0:53:01unless you really know your stuff, take advice.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05The low-end collectors in China are millionaires.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07The top-end collectors are billionaires.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11So within that, there's tremendous scope for all sorts of nonsense
0:53:11 > 0:53:14and skulduggery to go on.
0:53:14 > 0:53:15So, there we go!
0:53:15 > 0:53:17It's a minefield,
0:53:17 > 0:53:21but it's one that I would be very careful about entering.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23One thing that I would not be collecting at the moment
0:53:23 > 0:53:25is Chinese porcelain.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28So, here are a few things to think about
0:53:28 > 0:53:31if you're buying antiques from the Far East.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35Japan is a safer bet than China right now, as prices are lower,
0:53:35 > 0:53:37there are fewer fakes and the quality
0:53:37 > 0:53:39and range of items is extraordinary.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45Digress from the obvious and collect sword hilt guards - tsubas -
0:53:45 > 0:53:48instead of the more popular netsukes.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50But more than anything, watch out for fakes.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54Provenance is everything - it provides proof of age and history.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00If Chinese ceramics scare the life out of you,
0:54:00 > 0:54:03honest curios like the shoes can be bought at a snip,
0:54:03 > 0:54:06and are a great starting point for a budding collector.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17At our valuation days, we see thousands of people,
0:54:17 > 0:54:20many with fascinating stories to tell.
0:54:20 > 0:54:21And we got to hear Sandra's
0:54:21 > 0:54:24when she brought along some ivory pieces
0:54:24 > 0:54:27she'd inherited from her father, who lived in Hong Kong.
0:54:27 > 0:54:33- We have two ivory plaques...- Yes. - ..and we have an ivory scent bottle.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37And these were made around 1880 to 1900.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40And what makes them unusual is the colouring.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44My father was fascinated by what we called curios.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48He would go down the little alleyways in Hong Kong,
0:54:48 > 0:54:53and he loved finding bargains and buying exquisite craftsmanship.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00But when, in 1941, during the Second World War,
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Hong Kong was invaded by the Japanese,
0:55:02 > 0:55:05Sandra's father was taken prisoner.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09ARCHIVE NEWS: In this battle, 11,000 British soldiers are taken prisoner.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16When Hong Kong fell,
0:55:16 > 0:55:20my father was in a prisoner of war camp with the troops,
0:55:20 > 0:55:24so my mother and father and my sister were separated.
0:55:27 > 0:55:31After three years, the Americans liberated the POWs,
0:55:31 > 0:55:32but in the ensuing chaos
0:55:32 > 0:55:37it was another four months before the family was reunited.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41Sandra's father's journey took him home via Canada.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45And Sandra hoped selling the ivory pieces she inherited from him
0:55:45 > 0:55:49would enable her to retrace his steps.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53- 400-600 for the pair here.- Mm. - The bottle - 1,000-1,500.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55Gosh!
0:55:55 > 0:55:58I think you've timed it to perfection,
0:55:58 > 0:56:01and I think we're going to have a surprise amount.
0:56:01 > 0:56:05It was a great impetus to do what I've always wanted to do,
0:56:05 > 0:56:09which was part of the journey that my father did after his release,
0:56:09 > 0:56:14and that was from Vancouver, through the Rockies.
0:56:14 > 0:56:19Because he kept a diary, and he'd said when they travelled
0:56:19 > 0:56:23through the Rockies, how beautiful the snow-capped mountains were.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25The lovely autumn colours.
0:56:25 > 0:56:32It always made me want to go and see it for myself, and that was it -
0:56:32 > 0:56:34I could feel my father saying, "Yes, go," you know.
0:56:34 > 0:56:35"Go for it, do it."
0:56:36 > 0:56:38Carved and stained ivory plaques...
0:56:38 > 0:56:40For the auction, Sandra was joined by her sister,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43and first under the hammer were the ivory plaques.
0:56:43 > 0:56:47We'll bypass the estimate and start these at 1,000.
0:56:47 > 0:56:50- What?!- 1,200, 1,400, 1,600...
0:56:50 > 0:56:53James had said that it might fly.
0:56:53 > 0:56:58At 3,600 the bids here. And selling, then, at 3,600. ALl done?
0:56:58 > 0:57:00And the hammer's going down. Wow!
0:57:00 > 0:57:01I told you to come to "Flog It!"
0:57:01 > 0:57:03And you've got the scent bottle, now.
0:57:03 > 0:57:051,200. 1,300, 1,400, 1,500,
0:57:05 > 0:57:071,600, 1,700.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10I think it became rather unreal.
0:57:10 > 0:57:12At 2,400, it's in the room, then, and selling.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14I just remember my heart
0:57:14 > 0:57:16going bang, bang, bang!
0:57:16 > 0:57:19Have you just added that up in your head?
0:57:19 > 0:57:20- No, I haven't.- Well, I have.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23And it is a whopping £6,000.
0:57:23 > 0:57:25Wow!
0:57:28 > 0:57:31The money was more than enough to enable Sandra
0:57:31 > 0:57:34and her husband to make the journey to Canada.
0:57:34 > 0:57:40We actually took a boat ride to Vancouver Island.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43And it was when we were on the boat and actually in the harbour
0:57:43 > 0:57:50I really felt, "Wow, this is similar to what my father would have felt
0:57:50 > 0:57:52"coming in on a big liner."
0:57:52 > 0:57:54So, that was very special,
0:57:54 > 0:57:57to be able to go to where my father had been.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04Well, I'm so glad the sale of those lovely things
0:58:04 > 0:58:08meant that Sandra could retrace some of her father's footsteps.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10Now, if you've got anything you want to sell,
0:58:10 > 0:58:13bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:58:13 > 0:58:16Well, that's it for today. I hope you have enjoyed the show.
0:58:16 > 0:58:19Join us again soon for more Trade Secrets.